Top 10: Showboats In Sports

Number 3

Terrell Owens

For Terrell Owens, a four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, staying out of the spotlight for more than five consecutive seconds is an arduous task. If he isn’t speculating to the media about a former quarterback’s sexuality or football ability, like he did with Jeff Garcia and Donovan McNabb, then he’s probably crying to someone else — literally — as he did on a CNBC show. He’s always the center of attention on the field and he reminds us frequently with elaborate theatrics.

Cutting custom: Before his ego ballooned, Owens was known for his contrived touchdown celebrations. To name a few, he’s stomped on the Dallas Star at center field, he has pantomimed a waiter, mimicked linebacker Ray Lewis, hidden a sharpie in his sock, and he’s torn down fan posters.

Number 2

Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal is one of the best centers to ever play in the NBA, and he’s probably the most entertaining. “Rocking the rim” has a different meaning for The Big Aristotle because he purposely shakes the entire net with his emphatic dunks and has torn the whole thing completely down on occasion. He’ll do a crazy walk up the court after alley-oops, and he has even put some dribbling skills on display, bouncing the balls between his legs on rare occasion.Cutting custom: Diesel loves the media attention in post-game interviews and he can be an amusing quote waiting to happen. If he struggles he’ll claim that he played like Erick Dampier or he might effeminate the Sacramento Kings by calling them the Queens.

Number 1

Chad Johnson

There is no other successful athlete who spends more time thinking about how to showboat than Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson. From the shiny grill that makes his smile to the incessant trash talking that exits his mouth, there is nothing unflamboyant about the three-time All Pro. He’s constantly chirping to the media in some arrogant way, such as guaranteeing wins, discussing the defenses he has burned or hyping upcoming touchdown celebrations.

Cutting custom: His end zone parties are premeditated, like the football CPR, the cheerleader marriage proposal, the Christmas gift handout and the Riverdance. The NFL’s decision to clamp down on touchdown festivities is due in large part to his antics.

classic celebrations

Showboats range from witty to woeful and often become a distraction from the actual event. The bottom line is that if you prevent them from scoring and win the game yourself, they won’t have anything to brag about.